Brush making machine



1947. J. G. BAUMGARTNER BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed March 6, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l fill/enfor:

Jofm G. Baumyarfnsv 4L My ANN MMN Dec. 23, 1947.

J. G. .BAUMGARTNER BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Original Filed March 6, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheetv 2 in war? for.

t/o/m Baumgarzner 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. G. B AUMGARTNER BRUSH BAKING MACHINE Original Filed March 6, 1942 Dec. 23, 1947.

mm\ m w Patented Dec. 23, 1947 BRUSH MAKING' MACHINE JohnG. Baumgartner, Aurora, Ill.

Continuation of application Serial No.

March 6, 1942. 'l'i:

7, 1945, Serial No.

is application filed August 609,441

33 Claims. (Ci. 300-2) This invention relates generally to brush making machines and in particular to a brush machine adapted to automatically perform a series of related operations on a brush blank to produce a finished brush. This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 433,641, filed March 6, 1942 now abandoned.

Brush making machines having related mechanisms or operating units for selectively operating on a brush blank to produce a finished brus-h are well known in the prior art. However, these machines generally are of elongated type, with the brush blanks carried on continuous belts or the like. past the various operating mechanisms or units. The point of feeding the brush blank into the machine is thus usually remote from the point of removal of the finished brush so that the handling of the brush blanks and the finished brushes i generally inconvenient to the machine operator. As a result the productive capacity of the machine is appreciably reduced. Further, the operating units of these prior art machines are generally rather complicated and bulky whereby to increase considerably the over-all size of the machine. The complicated structure of the various machine operating units also increases the maintenance cost on the machine because of the frequent adjustments and part replacements required to keep the machine in an efllcient operating condition,

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved brush making machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved operating units in an automatic brush machine.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a brush making machine in which a plurality of related operating units are arranged about a rotary table having a brush block thereon which is acted upon by said operating units to produce a completed brush.

A further object of this invention is to provide a brush machine of a construction such that the operator therefor can be positioned in one station to completely operate the same.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a brush machine which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and comprised of a minimum number of parts requiring adjustment and servicing.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a brush making machine which is compact and capable of producing a high quality brush, economically and at a high production rate.

A feature of this invention is found in the pro-- vision of a pivoted arcuately-shaped picker member which in junction with a. cooperating bufier member is adapted to carry a measured tuft of bristles from a substantially upright bristle magazine to vertically movable tuft-carrying jaws without in any way interfering with the operation of such jaws.

Another feature of this invention is found in the provision of combination anchor-forming and carrying fingers in which an anchor is cut from a piece of wire by the co-action of one of the carrying fingers and a stationary wire guiding member.

A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of combination tuft and anchor carrying means comprising three jaws operatively supported on a vertically reciprocating block, with one of the jaws being adapted for closing with each of the remaining two jaws.

Yet another feature of this invention is found in the provision of a pivoted picker member of arcuate shape adapted to cut a bristle tuft from the lower end of a substantially upright bristle magazine. A pivoted packer member operates to pack the bristles at the lower end of the magazine concurrently .with the separating of a bristle tuft at said end by the tufts of substantially equal size being removed by said picker member.

-A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of a brush making machine having a rotary table with angularly spaced holders thereon for brush blocks in which means for releasably looking a block in a corresponding holder is automatically released on completion of the brush so as to permit free removal of the brush from the holder. On positioning of a new brush block within the holder the locking means automatically retains the block in a fixed position in the holder.

A still further feature of this invention is found in the provision of a brush making machine in which a rotary table for carrying angularly spaced brush blocks thereon is rotatable through substantially one revolution to permit a series of small increments to position operations on the block to produce a complete brush. Means including pawl and ratchet means operate to progressively rotate the table in equal the block for a plurality of similar operations thereon, and to rotate the table in equal large increments to move the block for a new operation thereon.

Another feature of this invention is found in the provision of means for trimming a row of brush bristles which receives the bristles therein picker member to assure without bending whereby the same can be trimmed at a substantially uniform height over the entire length of the row.

A further featureof this invention is found in the provision of means for combing a row of 7 -surface which cooperates with a picker member having a notch in an edge thereof for receiving a substantially measured tuft of bristles, to retain the tuft in the notch and in a position for engagement by vertically movable tuft-carrying fingers. The tuft-carrying fingers with the tuft therein are movable through the tumbler unit to double the bristles and to carry the same for insertion to a brush block located below the tumbler unit.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the complete brush making machine with the arrows indicating the direction of travel of the table for such machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken approximately along the dotted line 2-2 in Fig. 1, with the table and the main frame portions of'the machine being shown in cross-section, and the means for driving the table being shown in full lines for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in perspective showing the relative assembly of wire carrying and cutting fingers with the tuft and anchorcarrymg aws;

Fig. 4 is a detailed fragmentary view partly in section showing the assembly arrangement of the tuft packing and picker mechanism, the tuft and anchor carrying jaws and the tumbler unit, the mechanisms being shown in relation to a brush handle located on the machine table below the jaws;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a tuft in its secured position within the brush block, the section being taken in a direction axially of the tuft anchoring means;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view Seen along the line 6-4? in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a top plan view of the tuft assembly of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front view of the three jaw tuft and anchor carrying unit shown in a position for receiving the anchor therein;

Fig. 9 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 8 and shows the anchor within certain of the jaws;

Fig, 10 is a sectional view as seen along the line ltl-l0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 8 and. shows the relative arrangement of the jaws with the anchor retained therein and the bristle tuft being presented for engagement therein;

Fig. 12 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 8 and shows both the tuft and anchor within the jaws, with the dotted line position in Fig. 12 indicating the position of the jaws at the end of the down stroke thereof with the tips of the jaws adjacent the top face of the brush block;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line [3-43 of Fig. 12, showing the bristle tuft before it is doubled for insertion into a hole in the brush block, and the anchor guiding grooves in the jaws;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line "-44 in Fig. 12 with the tuft shown doubled and inserted within the brush block;

Fig. 15'is a detail top plan view of the bristle trimmer shown in Fig. 1 with a brush shown in position for entering the trimmer;

Fig. 16 is asectional view taken along the line lB-IB of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the comb for straightening the bristles on the brush preparatory to trimming the same; and

Fig. 18 is an end view showing the comb in changed positions relative to a row of bristles in the brush block.

In the practice of this invention there is provided a simple and efficiently operated brush making machine which in a continuous automatic operation requiring only the feeding of brush blocks or handles to the machine and the removal therefrom of the finished brush by an Operator, acts otherwise to automatically maintain a positioned handle on a rotary table, to drill spaced holes in such handle, to separate substantially measured tufts of bristles from a bristle holding magazine, insert the tufts within the holes in the handle, secure the tufts within the handle by means of a wedging or anchor pin, uniformly comb the bristles, and then trim the bristles to the same height. All of the operating units for accomplishing the above-defined operations are arranged about a rotary table which carries the brush blocks in an angularly spaced relation thereon. The brush is completed during substantially one revolution of the table so that the finished brush comes off the table at approximately the same place that the brush block was originally positioned upon the table. The manual jobs required in the operation of this machine therefore, are all readily performed while the operator is positioned at but one station adjacent the machine. The bristle stock magazine is also located on the machine such that it may be easily refilled while the operator is at his station. As a result, the machine is capable of being conveniently and emciently operated for high speed production. 1

Although the invention is illustrated in connection with the making of an eyebrow brush which is about one-eighth of an inch in width, and about one and one-half inches in length, it is to be understood that larger brushes can be manufactured with this machine simply by changing the jigs or holders on the table in which the brush blocks are held and changing the timing of the table for the complete operation to correspond with the various operations desired to be performed on the brush block. It is believed t at the invention will be better understood by first describing the general operation of the machine. The description of the general operation takes in order the series of operations performed on a brush block to produce a complete brush.

General operation A brush block or unworked handle 20 is positioned in a holder 2| therefor carried on a rotary table 22 which is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The holders or jigs 2| are angularly spaced in a circle about the table and near the outer periphery thereof. The brush blank 20 is positioned within a corresponding holder when such holder is in the position indicated in Fig. 1 as a. In this position locking means L operatively associated with each bolder 2| for releasably looking a blank in a holder is automatically held in a released posimoval of a finished brush and the insertion of a new blank within the holder. Prior to the moving of the blank from its position at a to its position at -b the locking means L is released by the cam 23 to retain the brush blank or block in a fixed psition within the holder. At the position b the block is operated on by a drill unit, indicated generally as 24, which drills the holes in the brush block for receiving the bristle tufts. As illustrated, the machine is adapted to provide a brush having a. single row of bristles comprised of six tufts. Since each tuft requires a corresponding drilled hole, means are provided to rotate the table such that the block 20 is positioned in six fixed positions relative to the drill unit 24 to provide for the drilling of six holes therein.

When the brush and holder assembly is rotated to a position shown at cit is operated on by a. tuft inserting and anchor wedging unit. As seen in Fig. 2, this unit includes an anchor driving means 26 and a tuft and anchor carrying jaw means 21 adapted to have a bristle tuft presented thereto by a picker member 28 and an anchor carried thereto by a combination anchor forming and carrying means 29 (Fig. 3). The tuft inserting and anchor wedging unit operates to insert and secure a tuft within a corresponding hole in the brush block 20 so that the table is rotated'to six fixed operating positions relative to this unit. A brush block 20 is positioned in an operating position relative to the drill 24 concurrently with the positioning of another brush block at the tuft inserting unit. The rotation of the table to six fixed operating positions thus provides for the concurrent operations of drilling and tuft inserting in corresponding brush blocks.

After the bristles are secured in the brush block it is moved substantially to reposition d where it is operated on by a combing mechanism indicated generally at 3| (Figs. 1, 1'1 and 18) The comb 3| includes a pivoted combing plate 236 which is swingable in an arc transversely of the row of tufts in the brush handle 20 and combs through the bristles from each side of the row thereof. When the bristles are properly combed and cleaned the brush block with the bristles therein is moved to the position indicated at e to be operated on by a trimmer mechanism 32. The trimmer mechanism is comprised essentially of stationary blades S operatively associated with a reciprocating blade R with a row of bri'stles being passed in a direction longitudinally between adjacent ones of the stationary blades (Fig. 15).

As the block 20 leaves the trimmer mechanism 32 the locking means L is again engaged by the stationary cam 23 whereby to release the block 20 to permit its removal at the position indicated at ,f.

It is seen, therefore, that the locking means L is retained in a released position between the positions I and a of the holder 2 l, and further that all of the operations on the brush block 20 to produce a completed brush are accomplished in something less than one complete revolution of the rotary table 22. It is to be understood, of course, that the table 22 rotates continuously so that the operations of drilling, tuft inserting, combing and trimming are all performed simultaneously but relative to different brush blocks. The driving of the table 22 to locate a brush block in a plurality of operating positions relative to the same operating unit, and to move the brush block from one operating unit to a next related operating unit is accomplished by mechanism which will now be 6 7 described in the detailed description of the invention.

' Rotary table Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine of this invention is seen to include a frame having a base or bed 33 and a head 34. The rotary table 22 is rotatably supported on a base portion 35 and about stationary axis means 36 carried in a fixed position on the base portion 35. The holders 2| for the brush blocks 20 have cavities therein for receiving a corresponding brush block, and are angularly spaced in a circle about the table top portion 31 and near the outer periphery thereof. As is best seen in Fig. l. the holders 2| are arranged so that the brush blocks 20 therein are extended longitudinally in a direction which is substantially normal to a radius of the table. The locking means L for retaining a brush block within a corresponding holder 2| (Fig. 2) includes a spring actuated member 38 slidably supported in a block 39 on the table portion 31 and having a cam follower 4| at one end and a tapered portion 42 at the opposite end thereof adapted to frictionally engage a brush block 20 positioned within a holder. As a-brush and block assembly (Fig. 1) is moved from a position e to a position f, the follower portion 4| engages the stationary cam 23 which is fixedly mounted on the axis means 38. Thus as the table rotates; the cam acts to pull the tapered portion 42 out of frictional engagement with a. corresponding brush block. After a new brush block is positionedwithin a holder and the block and holder assembly is moved from the position indicated at a to the position at b the cam follower 4| is released by the cam 23 whereby the tapered end 42 of the spring-actuated member 38 moves into frictional engagement with a corressponding brush block. The operation of the looking means L, therefore, is entirely automatic so that the operator for the machine need only feed and remove the brush blocks and the finished brushes from the machine. It is to be noted further that the feeding and removing of the brush handles takes place at substantially the same position on the machine so that these manual operations are arranged for the utmost convenience of the operator.

In order to rotate the table 22 in a predetermined pattern relative to the operating units arranged about the table, there is provided a pair of ratchets 43 and 44 located intermediate the table top 31 and the base portion 35 and rotatably supported about the axis means 36 (Figs. 1 and 2). Although the ratchets 43 and 44 are shown as being separate relative to each other and to the table top 31, it is to be understood that these three parts can be integrally constructed in one piece within the scope of this invention. The ratchet 43 has angularly spaced sets of teeth 46 thereon, with each set including six teeth. As previously mentioned, a brush made commercially with a machine of the present invention includes a single row of bristles comprised of six tufts and the machine is so illustrated. There is thus a tooth in each tooth set 46 which corresponds to a tuft or a, hole in the brush being made.

The teeth in each tooth set 46 on the ratchet 43 are engageable with a pawl or dog member 41 pivotally connected at one end of a crank arm 48 which is pivoted intermediate its ends on the axis means 36. The opposite end of the crank arm 48 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 49, the opposite end of which is pivoted to an eccentric 64 mounted on an axis or shaft 52 formed as a part of a mitre gear box 53. The shaft 52 is operatively connected in a driven relation with a second shaft 54 in the'gear box 53 which is in a belt or chain connection 56 with a primary or main shaft 51 rotatably supported in the machine head 34. The shaft 51 is driven by a suitable motor drive (not shown) through belt means 58.

The ratchet M is formed with angularly spaced teeth or notches 59 which are selectively engageable with a pawl or dog 6| pivoted on a rocker arm 62 intermediate the ends thereof. One end of the rocker arm 62 is p ta y supported o the axis means 35, while its opposite end is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 63, the opposite end of the connecting rod being connected with a crank mounted on the axis 52 of the gear box 53.

In the operation of the machine, the rotation of the table 22 a distance corresponding to one tooth space in a tooth set 46 advances the table in a counter-clockwise direction a distance adapted to provide for the drilling of another hole in the brush block or the insertion of another tuft in a corresponding hole, it being previously explained that the operation of the machine is continuous and the drilling and inserting operations are performed concurrently on different brush blocks. The pawl 6| for the ratchet M, and its associated driving mechanism, functions to advance the table an angular distance corresponding to the angular spacing between adjacent ones of the brush block holders 2|. During the rotation of the table 22 b the ratchet and pawl mechanisms 43-47, the pawl 6| makes an idle movement or stroke relative to the ratchet 54 for the first five tooth movements of the pawl #37. On the sixth stroke of the pawl 41 and the corresponding sixth stroke of the pawl 6!, the pawl BI moves into engagement with a tooth or notch 59 corresponding to each brush station and advances the table to the next brush station. It is seen, therefore, that the pawl 31 moves the table only a fractional part of the distance which the table is moved by the pawl 6!.

With the large table movement accomplished by the pawl 6|, some difficult might be encountered in stopping the table 22 at a position such that the teeth 46 on the ratchet 43 are correctly located with reference to a position of the brush block providing for the performance of the various operations thereon. To correctly position the brush block, the crank 5| for driving the pawl 5| is timed a little ahead of the eccentric 64 for driving the pawl ll, so that the stroke of the connecting rod 49 is little less than the stroke 2 required to completely move the table an angular distance corresponding to the distance between adjacent sets of the teeth 46. Correspondingly the pawl 41, by virtue of the eccentric 64 being timed a little late with reference to the timing for the crank 5 I, engages the first tooth of a set 46 to complete the stroke begun by the pawl 8|. This short stroke of the pawl 41 properly locates the table for the drilling of a first hole in a brush block and the insertion of a first tuft in a drilled hole.

To assist in the stopping of the table at the desired position, brake linings are provided at 61 and 68 (Fig. 2) which act on the top and bottom of the table 22 and serve as a brake therefor, In the operation of the machine of this nvention, therefore, it is seen that the rotation of the table, although continuous is intermittent, with six small movements being provided by the action of the pawl 41 to position the block for a plurality of operations relative to a single operating unit, and a relatively long angular movement being provided by the action of the pawl 6| to move the brush block from one operating unit to the next related operating unit.

Drill The drilling unit 24 is driven by an electric motor 69 through belt means H (Fig. 1) As Previously mentioned, the machine is illustrated for making a brush having a six-tuft row so that six drilling operations are required in each brush block. The drill 22 is of a usual type including merely a chuck with a drill therein all rotated by the motor 69. To raise and lower the drill for cutting the required number of holes in the brush block there is provided a frame arrangement including a pair of arms 12 having a cross arm or bar 13 connecting the same and riding on a corresponding cam '14 mounted on a secondary shaft 16. The shaft 16 is driven from the main or primary shaft 51 through the chain connecting means 11. The cross arm 13 is retained in a following relation with the cam M by spring means 78 operatively connected with an end of one of the arms 12 and the machine frame. It is understood, of course, that the cam 1 is timed relative to the rotation of the table so that the drill is lowered and raised at the proper times relative to the movement of the brush block thereunder.

Picker mechanism Bristles 79 used in making the brushes are stored in a magazine or rack 3| arranged in a substantialiy upright or vertical position, the bristles 19 being positioned in a longitudinal direction and extending from front to back as viewed in Fig. 4. A plate 82 having a weight 84 acting thereon lies on top of the bristles and maintains by gravity a certain amount of pressure on the bristles to keep them at the lower end or bottom of the storage rack. The plate 82 is lifted upwardly from the upper end of the magazine 8! for the insertion of a new stock of bristles.

Adjacent the bottom of the bristle magazine (if is a pivoted picker member 28 integrally constructed with an arcuately-shaped portion 86 and a radial portion 87 pivoted at its free end on a pivot or axis 88 (Figs. 2 and 4). The outer periphery or edge 89 of the arcuate portion 86 is of a circular contour and maintains the bristles 79 in the storage rack ill as the picker member is rotated across the lower end thereof. The edge 89 has a notch 90 formed therein which is proportioned to remove from the face of the bristles at the lower end of the storage rack 8! a quantity of bristles in an amount which produces a tuft of a desired siZe for the brush. The picker member 28 is shown in Fig. 2 at a tuft leading position, while in Fig. 4 it is shown when moved to the end of its operating stroke with a tuft 9| in the notch 90 at a position to be engaged by the vertically movable anchor and tuft carrying jaws 21, previously noted. The shoulder or off-set portion 92 near one end of the arcuate portion 86 acts to pack down the bristles in the storage rack for the next picking operation as the picker member is moved to its position shown in Fig. 4.

The axis means 88 pivotally supporting the picker member 28 is off-set relative to a medial vertical plane passing through the jaw means 21 (Figs. 2 and 4). This arrangement of the axis means 88 relative to the jaw means 21 provides for the picker member 28 being freely movable between its extreme or limiting positions without in any manner interfering with the operation and vertical movement of the jaw means 21. The picker member is pivotally movable in a plane which is substantially parallel and adjacent to the plane of vertical movement of the jaw means 21. However, the shoulder portion 92 of the picker member, by virtue of the off-set of the pivot 88, is spaced from the jaw means 21 for the extreme position of the picker member 28 shown in Fig. 2.

The pivotal movement of the picker member 28 is accomplished by means including a crank 85 pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 93 (Fig. 2) which is pivotally connected at its other end to one end of a crank arm 94. The opposite end of the crank arm 94 is pivoted at 96 to the machine head 34. The arm or crank 94 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to an eccentric 91 rotatably supported on the primary driving shaft 51. By virtue of this driving connection of the crank arm 94 with the eccentric 91 it is obvious that the speed of the picker member 28 will be different for opposite directions of movement thereof.

During the movement of the notch 90 across the lower end of the bristle magazine 8| to collect a group of bristles therein, this movement corresponding to a movement of the picker member from its position in Fig. 2 toward its position in Fig. 4, the notch descends or passes onto a buffer 98 which acts to clean off any unwanted bristles. In other words, the buffer acts to scrape away any bristles positioned outwardly of the confines of the peripheral edge 89 of the picker member and retains the bristles thus removed within the storage magazine 8 I. The buffer 98 is formed with an arcuate edge adapted for mating engagement with the arcuate edge 89 of the picker member 28. These mating edges are yieldably urged together by the floating mounting of the buffer 98 on a pin 99 received in a slot I88 provided in the buffer member. The member 98 is held under tension against the picker member by a spring I8I, the pin and slot connection guiding the buffer so that it always moves in a. direction substantially on a radius to the arcuate edge 89. That is, the movement of the buffer 98 is confined in a direction toward and away from the picker member 28 and against any movement in the direction of travel of the picker member.

In addition to the function of the buffer member 98 to clean any unwanted bristles from the notch 98 in the picker member, the arcuate edge thereof cooperates with the arcuate edge 89 of the picker member to retain the substantially measured bristle tuft 9| Within the notch. It is apparent, of course, that the notch 90 is open at the peripheral edge 89 and that means must be provided to retain the tuft 9| within the notch to provide for the carrying of the tuft from the bristle magazine into a position for engagement by the jaw means 21, as will be later fully described. As a result, the buffer member 98 is in engagement with the picker member over the distance included between the lower end of the magazine BI and the point at which the tuft 9| is engaged by the jaw means 21.

It is important, of course, that the bristles at the lower end of the magazine 8| be in a condition such that a substantially uniform quantity of bristles is received within the notch 98 n each passage thereof across the magazine.

lthough the upright position of the magazine 8 I in cooperation with the plate 82 tends to pack the'bristles at the lower end, this packing is usually inadequate, particularly when the picker member 28 is operated at relatively high speeds. As previously mentioned, the shoulder portion 92 on the picker member assists in this packing function. Further packing of the bristles at the lower end of the magazine 8| is accomplished by a packer member I85 (Figs. 2 and 4) comprised of two arms I82 and I83 rigid with respect to each other and supported for pivotal movement on stationary axis means I84. The lower end of the arm I83 is formed with two spaced projecting portions I86 and I81 which on pivotal movement of the packer I85 toward the magazine 8| act to pack the bristles at the lower end of the magazine in a direction toward the picker member 28 to further facilitate the removal of a uniform quantity of bristles by the picker member.

The packer member I85 is pivotally moved by means including a connecting rod I88 operatively connected at one end to the lower end of the arm I82 with the opposite end of the connecting rod I88 being pivotally connected to a leg I89 of a bell crank I (Fig. 4). Axis means II8 pivotally connecting the connecting rod I88 and leg I89 is located substantially intermediate the ends of the leg I89. The bell crank I II is pivotally supported at I I2, with the leg member I I3 thereof being pivotally connected at its free end to a sleeve member II4 slidably supported on a shank IIB connected with an eccentric II'I operatively supported on the primary driving shaft 51. The eccentric II1, sleeve H4, and bell crank III are all part of a driving mechanism which provides a delayed or lost motion action for properly timing the operation of the packer I85 with reference to the jaw means 21 and picker member 28. As shown in Fig. 4 the leg II3 of the bell crank I I I is held against a stop member II8 by a spring H9. This position of the bell crank corresponds to a position of the packer I 85 away from the bristles 19. In other words, the packer is in a rest position. Further lost motion is provided in the driving mechanism for the packer I85 by means of the flexible spring connection I 2| of the packer arm I82 with the connecting rod I88.

On rotation of the eccentric I I 1 by the primary shaft 51, movement of the eccentric H1 and of the shank H6 in a direction downwardly to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, is without effect in operating the bell crank III. However, as the cocentric I I1 and shank I I6 are moved upwardly to the left, as also viewed in Fig. 4, the adjust- 1 ing screws I22 at the end of the shank 6 engage the bottom of the sleeve I I4 to rotate the bell crank I I I in a counter-clockwise direction against the tension of the spring II9. The rotation of the bell crank III operates the connecting rod I88 to pivot the packer I in a counter-clockwise direction about the axis I84 whereby the portions I85 and I81oi the packer are moved into a packing position with respect to the bristles 19 at the lower end of the bristle magazine 8|. This movement of the packer I85 takes place concurrently with the rotation of the picker member 28 to its position shown in Fig. 2. Because of the spring I2I in the lost motion connection between the connecting rod I88 and the packer arm I82 the end of the rod I88 at the arm I82 is always returned to the same rest position when the bell crank III is in its position against the stop IIB. v Of course, for different types of brushes the tufts 9| will vary in size so that it may be desired to correspondingly vary the degree or amount of packing to be accomplished by the packer member I05. These different packing positions are obtained by an adjusting nut I23 adjustably supported in the packer arm I02 and adapted to engage the bristle magazine 3| (Fig. 4). Thus on movement of the portions I03 and I01 to a packing position the adjusting nut I23 engages the magazine 8| to limit the movement of the packer I05 toward the magazine and hence the degree of packing accomplished thereby. However, because of the spring connection I2I of the arm I 02 with the connecting rod I08 this stopping of the packer I05 does not interfere with the movement of the bell crank II I to perform its driving function relative to a tumbler unit I24 (Fig. 4) which will now be fully described.

Tumbler The tumbler I24 is located below the picker mechanism 28 and above the holder 2| for a brush block 20 (Fig. 4). The tumbler I24 is mounted on a shaft I26 for pivotal movement in and out of vertical alignment with the jaw means 21. The tumbler is shown in vertical alignment with the jaw means 21 in Fig. 4 and out of vertical alignment therewith in Fig. 2. On vertical movement downwardly of the jaw means 21, with a tuft 0I therein, the tumbler in an aligned position acts to double up the bristle tuft 0I and to guide the doubled tuft all the way down to a position at the brush block 20. The pivotal movement of the tumbler I24 is accomplished by a crank arm I 21 rigidly mounted on the tumbler shaft I20 and pivotally connected at its opposite end to one end of a connecting rod I20. The other end of the rod I28 is pivotally connected at I29 to the end of the leg I09 of the bell crank III previously described in connection with the bristle packer I05. The driving mechanism for the packer I0! is thus also utilized i driving the tumbler I24, with the lost motion in the driving mechanism actin also to properly time the movement of the tumbler with respect to the law means 21 and picker member 28. As shown in Fig. 4, this timed relation is such that the tumbler I24 is in vertical alignment with the jaw means 21 concurrently with the location of a tuft 9I at a position to be engaged by the jaw means.

With the tumbler I24 in vertical alignment with the jaw means 21, the upper edge thereof is utilized to retain the tuft 0| within the notch 00 after the notch 90 is moved away from the buffer member 98. That is, the extreme end I3I of the buffer member 98 stops short of the center of the law means 21 so as not to interfere with the operation of the jaws in engaging the tuft SI and carrying the same to the brush block 20. However, because of the timed relation of the tumbler I24 relative to the jaw means and picker member 23, the upper edg of the tumbler I24 is in substantial alignment with the curved surface of the buffer member 98 at the time the notch 00 passes off the buffer 00 so that the tuft 0I is retained within the notch 00 and in the path of movement of the jaw means 21 by the upper edge of the tumbler unit I24. With the tuft 0I thus supported on the tumbler it is positioned for engagement by the jaw means 21 so as to be carried thereby through the tumbler to be doubled, the tumbler retaining the tuft 0| in a doubled position up until the time it is inserted in the brush blank 20. It is seen, therefore, that the tumbler I24 performs its usual function in retaining inserted bristle tufts free of the hole into which a new tuft is to be inserted, and further acts to retain the tuft 0| within the picker member 28 until it is engaged by the jaw unit 21.

4nchor mechanism An anchor I32 for securing a tuft 0I within the brush block 20 is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This anchor is essentially a short straight length of a thin piece of hard wire which, although shown as round may be of other configuration. The wire I33 (Fig. 3) from which the anchors I32 are formed is fed into the machine from a suitable supply source (not shown) over timed movable feeding rollers I34 and I36 to a stationary die member I31 having a wire receiving aperture therein. The wire I33 is guided in its passage from the supply source to the rollers I34 and I30, and from these rollers to the die I31 through a tube I30 which is broken at the rollers I34 and I36 to permit the rollers to directly engage the wire I33 therebetween. The die or stationary guiding block I31 is adjacent the closing end of a pair of anchor-carrying fingers I30 and MI, the lower finger I4I having a notch therein for receiving the wire I33 from the block I31.

The fingers I39 and MI are pivotally supported intermediate their ends on correspondingly axis means I42 supported on a mounting plate I43 and are held against the mounting plate by a retaining plate I44. The end I46 of the finger I is operatively connected with a tension spring I41 carried on the mounting plate I43. The spring acts to rotate the finger MI in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and into engagement with the finger I30 to in turn rotate such finger in a counter-clockwise direction, and against a, stop member I40 carried on the mounting plate I43. By virtue of this stop. the fingers I30 and MI are retained in a closed position by the spring I41. The mountin plate I43 is carried on a floating or pivotally movable portion I40 rotatably supported in a boss portion IIII provided in a pivoted arm I52 pivoted to the machine head 34 on a shaft I53. The pivotal movement of the mounting plate I43 in one direction is limited by a stop member I54 carried on the boss portion I5I and in an opposite direction by the engagement of the plate I43 directly with the portio I5I. The mounting plate I43 is yieldably retained against the stop portion I54 by a springmember I56 operatively supported in the arm portion I5I. When the closing ends of the fingers I30 and MI are adjacent the stationary block I31, the action of the spring I56 acts to retain these finger portions in sliding engagement against the block I31. In other words, the stop I54 is effective to limit the pivotal movement of the retaining plate I43 when the fingers I30 and I are removed from the die I31, as will be later explained.

As previously noted, the pivotal movement of the fingers I39 and MI in a counter-clockwise direction by the spring I41 is limited by the stop I40. However, the fingers are capable of pivotal movement together in an opposite or clockwise direction on pressing downwardly of the finger I30 against the finger I4I. Thus, in the forming of an anchor I32 from the wire I33, with the wire positioned between the fingers I30 and I, a driver I51 is moved downwardly against the nager I30 so as to move the fingers I30 and I in a clockwise direction relative to the die member I31. This movement of the fingers provides a cutting action between the finger I30 and the die mem- '13 her I31 so as to cut the wire I33 and leave an anchor I32 between the fingers I39 and Ill.

The length of the anchor I32 is defined by the timed movement of the rollers I34 and I36. In

other words, a partial relative rotation between the rollers I34 and I36 moves the wire I33 a predetermined distance through the die I31 and into the fingers I39 and I. In accomplishing this rotation of the rollers I34 and I36, the roller I34 is mounted on a shaft I58 which also carries a ratchet wheel I59. The ratchet I59 is operatively associated with a pawl I6I pivoted on an arm I62 rotatably supported at one end on the the roller I34. This frictional engagement and the positive moving of the wire I33 between the rollers is facilitated by knurling the peripheral surface of the roller I34.

The driving member I51 for moving fingers I39 and I4I relative to the die member I31 is pivotally connected to a link member I61 which in turn is pivoted to the end I65 of a crank arm 169. The crank arm I68 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends and is provided at the end thereof with a cam follower which is operatively engageable with a cam III mounted on the secondary driving shaft 16. The cam follower is retained in a following relation with the cam 11i bya spring I12 operatively connected to the head 33 of the machine at one end and connected at its opposite end to the end I65 of the crank arm I66. It is seen, therefore, that the driver 151 is driven against the finger I39 by the cam I11 and is returned to a rest position by the spring I12.

On completion of the cutting of the wire I33 to form an anchor I32 and by virtue of the position of the closed ends of the fingers I39 and 191 immediately adjacent the stationary guiding block I31, the anchor I31 within the fingers I39 and I M is extended outwardly from such fingers to the side thereof opposite the block I31. Prior to the positioning of the anchor I32 within the jaw means 21 it is located in a substantially central position within the fingers I39 and Hi by a linearly slidable member I13 having a stop portion I19 for bumping the extended end of the anchor to center the same between the fingers. Linear movement of the slidable member I13 is accomplished by the riding of the end I16 thereof on a cam I11 mounted on the secondary shaft 16. The member I13 is retained in a following relation against the cam I11 by a spring I18. It is understood, of course, that the operations on th wire I33, namely the feeding of the wire between the fingers I 39 and MI, the cutting of the wire to form an anchor I32 and the movement of the fingers away from the block I31 to permit the stop portion I14 of the slidable member I13 to center the anchor within the fingers, are all performed in a predetermined timed relation.

The movement of the fingers I39 and MI from the stationary block I31 for presenting the anchor I32 21 is accomplished by means away and to a position to the jaw means including a roller ously mentioned (Figs. 1 and 3).

- grooves 2III I19 rotatably mounted on a pin I8I carried in the boss portion I5I of the pivoted arm I52, previ- The roller I19 is operatively associated with a cam I82 mounted on the secondary shaft 16 and is held in a following relation with respect to the cam I82 by spring members I83 arranged in compression between the arm I52 and a portion of the head 34 of the machine. The pivotal movement of the arm I52 in a clockwise direction, as Viewed in Fig. 3, is defined by an adjustable stop member I10 shown in Fig. l. The arm I52 is thus retained away from the cam I62 during the feeding and cutting operations on the wire I33. On completion of these operations the cam I82 engages the roller I19 to move the fingers I39 and HI with the anchor I32 therein toward the jaw means 21 and to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Tuft and anchor carrying mechanism The jawmeans 21, previously referred to, includes a block member I 81 (Figs. 2, 9 and 10) which is slidably supported for movement in a vertical direction in cooperating way members I88 and I69 mounted on the machine head 34 and carries three jaw members I9I, I92 and I93. The jaw I9I is fixed relative to the reciprocating block I 81 and is adapted for closing engagement with the jaw I93, which is pivotally supported at I94 on the block I81 and urged into a closing position with the jaw I9I by a spring I96 acting at the end I91 of the jaw I93. The jaw I92 is a supplementary jaw located intermediate the jaws I SI and I93 and pivotally supported at I98 on the reciprocating block I81. The jaw I92 is adapted for closing engagement with the jaw I 93 and is biased into a closing position with the jaw I93 by a spring member I99. The jaw I9I closes with the jaw I93 adjacent the end thereof, while the jaw I92 closes with the jaw I93 at a portion spaced from the extreme end thereof. It is seen, therefore, that the jaw I 93 is common to the jaws I91 and I 92 and is adapted for independent or concurrent closing engagement with each thereof. The jaws I9I, I92 and 193 are retained in sliding engagement with the reciproeating block I81 by a retaining plate 196. Each of the jaws I91, I92 and I 93 in the closing side thereof is formed with a corresponding groove 291. These grooves are in mating alignment when the jaws are in a completely closed position as indicated in Fig. 12.

The jaw mean 21 is shown in Fig. 8 in an upstroke position with the anchor I32 being presented for carrying between the jaws I 92 and I93 thereof by the fingers I39 and I41. At this relative position of the jaw means and anchor holding fingers I39 and MI the picker member 28 is being returned to its position shown in Fig. 2 for picking a new tuft of bristles from the magazine BI. Referring again to Fig. 8, it is seen that a projection at the end I91 of the jaw I93 is in engagement with a stationary cam 292. This engagement pivots the jaw I93 about the axis I 94 and out of a closing position with the stationary jaw I 9I, the spring-actuated intermediate jaw I 92 following the jaw I93 in a closed relation by virtue of 'the action of the spring I99. With the fingers I39 and MI positioned between the jaws I92 and I93 the movement of the jaw means is continued in an upward direction to its top stroke position shown in Fig. 9. However, as shown in Fig. 9, the anchor I32 is inserted within the in the jaws I92 and I93. The entrance of the anchor in within the grooves (Fig. 13) is facilitated by the curved surfaces 203 formed in each of the jaws I92 and I93 at the upper end of a corresponding groove 20I therein for guiding the anchor I32 within the grooves. With the anchor I32 thus positioned between the jaws I92 and I93 the fingers I39 and HI are returned to their positions shown in full lines in Fig. 3, this return movement spreading the fingers I39 and IM to release the anchor I32. Thus as the jaw means 21 is started on its downward stroke the fingers I39 and HI are removed therefrom to permit a driver 204 intermediate the jaws I92 and I93 to pass into the grooves 20I and against the anchor I32. The driver 204 is formed as a part of the anchor driving unit 26 previously mentioned and which includes further a reciprocating block 206 slidably supported in the way members I81 and I88 (Figs. 2 and 4).

Th relative position of the three jaws with the anchor I32 therein and in operative engagement with the driver 204 is shown in Fig. 11. It is seen, therefore, that the relative position of the jaws I9I, I92 and I93 is the same in each of Figs. 8, 9 and 11 by virtue of the projection at the end I91 of the jaw I93 being continued in engagement with the stationary cam member 202. As shown in Fig. 11, and prior to the jaw I93 moving out of engagement with the stationary cam 202, the jaw means is in a down stroke position ready to receive a, tuft 9| between the jaws I9I and I93. The anchor I32 is thus retained between the jaws I9I and I93 before the tuft 9| is received between the jaws I9! and I93. With the jaws I9I and I93 spread about the tuft 9!, the jaw I93 moves out of engagement with the cam 202 to permit the spring I96 to close the tuft between the jaws I9! and I93 as is shown in Fig. 12. With the three jaws in their closed position in Fig. 12, the grooves 20I in the jaws WI and I92 are aligned with each other by virtue of the mating engagement of corresponding V-portions 201 thereon (Fig. 13).

With the anchor I32 and the tuft 9i thus carried within the jaw means 21 it is moved toward the brush block 20 to a position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12 such that the tuft may be inserted within a corresponding hole within the brush block. The driver 204 is then moved vertically downwardly to its dotted line position, as

also shown in Fig. 12, pushing the tuft 9! within the hole and wedging the anchor in the block 20 to secure the tuft thereto. It is to be noted that the grooves 20I guidably support both the anchor I32 and the driver 204 with the tuft 9i being pushed from the jaw means by the anchor i32 which in turn is driven by the driver 209. As is best shown in Fig. 6, the anchor I32 cuts its own path within the brush block 20 and anchors the tuft 9i within the block 20 concurrently with the positioning of th tuft within a corresponding cavity or hole.

As previously mentioned, the tumbler I24 operates in a timed relation with reference to the picker member 28 and the jaw means 21 so that it is in its position shown in Fig. 4 at the time the anchor I32 and tuft 9I are engaged by the jaw means. Thus although the tuft BI is shown in a doubled position in Fig. 14, it is to be understood that this doubled position is retained by the passage of the jaw means 21 through the tumbler I24 when it is in its position shown in Fig. 4. It is to be understood further that the brush block 20 is successively moved to six different operating positions relative to th jaw means i6 21 by rotation of the table 22 to provide for a tuft being inserted and secured in each of the holes in the brush block.

The sliding or reciprocating blocks I81 and 206 for the jaw means 21 and anchor driving unit 204, respectively, are driven by independent mechanism operated in a timed relation. The driving mechanism for the jaw means 21 includes a connecting rod 2 pivoted at one end to the reciprocating block I81 and pivotally connected at its other end to a crank arm 2I2 mounted on a shaft 2I3 (Figs. 1 and 2). Also mounted on the shaft 2I3 is a crank arm 2I4 pivotally connected at 2I6 to one end of a connecting rod 2I1, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected at 2 I8 to one end of a crank arm 2I9. The other end of the crank arm 2I9 is rotatably supported on a pivot 22I located in the machine head 34 below the shaft 2I3. A roller 222 carried on the crank arm 219 intermediate the ends thereof engages the inner face or runway of a cam 223 mounted in a fixed position on the main or primary driving shaft 51. The jaw means 21 is thus vertically reciprocated at varying speeds over its path of travel by the cooperating action of the parts of the driving mechanism therefor just described.

The driving mechanism for the anchor driving unit 26 includes a connecting rod 224 (Figs. 1 and 2) pivoted at one end to the reciprocating block 206 and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a crank arm 226 mounted on a shaft 221 supported in the machine head 34 at a position above the shaft 2I3 and in substantial vertical alignment with the pivot 22I for the crank arm 2I9 previously mentioned. Also mounted on the shaft 221 is a crank arm 228 pivotally connected at 229 to one end of a connecting rod 23I, the opposite end of which is pivoted at 232 to the cam 223 previously noted in connection with the driving mechanism for the jaw means 21. In the operation of the driving unit 26 and jaw means 21 the driving mechanism for the jaw means 21 carries the same downwardly in advance of the punch or driver 204, so that the wire carrying fingers I39 and MI, tumbler I24, and picker member 28 are in their proper relative positions with reference to the stroke position of the jaw means as was fully explained above in connection with Figs. 8-12, inclusive.

Comb

On the insertion of the bristle tuft 9| within the brush block 20 and their securing therein by the anchors I32 as described above, the block 20 with the row of bristle tufts 9| therein is moved to the combing mechanism 3| (Figs. 1, 1'7 and 18). This mechanism comprises a combing plate 236 of fiat form mounted at one end on a shaft 231 rotatably supported in a stationary sleeve 235. The opposite end of the combing plate is formed with a row of teeth or serrations 238. The plate 236 is adapted for pivotal swinging transversely of the row of tufts 9I so as to comb the bristles from each side of the row. In the operation of the machine the comb pivots through the bristles about thirty times while the brush is at the combing station.

The prior art combing devices usually consist of a rotary drum provided with pins or the like. The rotation of the drum in only one direction against the bristles acts to lay the tufts in the direction in which the drum is rotated. This laying or bending down of the tufts is particularly objectionable in brushes including bristles of relatively fine form and further with the bristles thus bent it is rather diflicult to trim all of the bristles at a substantially uniform height. Passing the combing plate 236 back and forth through the tufts insures their being thoroughly combed and left standing upright after the combing operation. Furthenfany bristles that are not secured to the brush block 20 are combed out through this rapid multi-combing operation so that by the time the brush moves to the trimming machine 32, the bristles I9 are all clean and firm as well as standing upright.

The shaft 231 is operated so as to move the plate 236 through an arc of approximately 120 or 60 to each side of the row of bristle tufts ti. The shaft 23'! (Figs. 1 and 2) carries a crank 239 at its driven end which is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 2 having the opposite end thereof pivotally connected with a crank 242 in driven connection with a motor 2423 through gear reduction means 2%.

Trimmer On completion of the combing operation the brush bloclttll with the tufts 9| therein is moved in a position to be operated on by the trimmer unit it previously noted (Figs; 1, l5 and 16). The trimmer includes a stationary mounting plate 2% carried on the bed portion 35 of the machine frame. Stationary blades S spaced from each other are provided on each side of the trimmer unit. A movable blade R. pivots back and forth across the stationary blades about thirty times for each brush and as seen in Fig. 16 acts to cut off the bristles at a uniform height. The cutting or movable blade R is attached by pins M9 to a body member 250 pivotally mounted on an axis 252 which is fastened to the stationary frame 2%. fin-arm 253 integral with the body member Edi drives the body member and the blade R therewith. The blade R floats on the top face of the stationary blades S and is held in engagement with said top face merely by the pins 269. The pins Mt act as retention pins and lie on the blade R at the cutting position or cutting line for the bristles as shown in Fig. 6, and in'cooperation with the body member 25f maintain the blade R in a cutting relation with the stationary blades S. A spring 25% arranged in compression between the washer 25b and the bottom of the body member 2M urges the body member 255i downwardly so as to aid in retaining the movable blade in a cutting relation with the stationary blades.

As is clearly shown inFig. 15 the row of bristle tufts 9i passes along a. path between the two stationary blades S so that the bristles are not bent by the stationary blades but are maintained in' anupright position throughout their travel through the trimmer. As a result the bristles are clipted off at a uniform height corresponding to the top face of the stationary blades S over which the movable blade R moves.

The movable blade R is driven from the gear box 53 through a belt connection 26l operative y connected with one end of a vertical shaft 262 rotatable in a sleeve 253 mounted in the frame portion 264 which also supports the motor 243 for the bristle comb 3| (Figs. 1 and 2). The upper end of the shaft 262 carries an. eccentrically mounted portion 265 pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 261, the opposite .end of which is pivoted at 268 to the arm 253 on the body portion 25! of the trimmer unit. On rotation of the shaft 262 the movableblade 248 is reciproactive tot-the other to cut the material in one of be wired for independent starting and stopping.

without in any way interfering with the satisfactory operation of the machine of this invention.

The detailed discussion of the operation of the machine included in the foregoing description of the various operating units, in conjunction with the general operation of the machine appearing under a separate heading hereinabove is believed to make a further description of the operation unnecessary. 1

From a consideration of the above description and drawings it is seen that the invention provides an improved brushmaking machine which is very compact and rugged in construction, and whichis adapted to efiiciently and economically produce brushes of a uniform and high quality in high production quantitim. All of the operating units of the machine are readily accessible to the operator therefor. The refill magazine for the bristles and the position at the machine for feeding and removing unworked handles and completed brushes therefrom are relatively arranged so as to be conveniently handled by the machine operator from a single operating position. The machine is adapted to operate at relatively high speeds, and because of the simple design of the operating parts thereof and the small number of movable parts contacting the bristles a high operating efficiency is maintained over a long service period with a minimum of servicing and adjusting attention. Although the invention has been described specifically with reference to the making of a small brush having a single row including six tufts of bristles it is to be understood that the number of tufts and the size of the tufts can be varied depending upon the type of brush desired to be manufactured.

It is to be understood also that although the invention has been illustrated and described with specific reference to a single'embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications in the various parts thereof as well as in their relative arrangement can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a brush making machine having mechanism for feeding bristle-retaining material to be cut to size, the means for cutting such material and transporting a cut piece including in combinationa retaining-material guide unit. a finger unit having a pair of fingers receiving the material and with at least onefinger in contact with the units from the remaining material. and means for thereafter movingthe finger unit with a cut piece of material therein. 2. In a brush making machine having bristleretaining material to be cut to size and having bristle and retaining-material directing mechanism, themeans for cutting such material to size and transporting a. cut piece to said mechanism including in combination a unit positioning such material to be cut, a gripping unit having a pair of members receiving the material and means supporting said members for relative pivotal movement, means for moving one unit relative to the other to cut at corresponding parts of the units the material in one of the units from the 19 remaining material, and means for thereafter moving the gripping unit to transport a cut piece of material therein to said retaining-material directing mechanism.

3. In a brush making machine, anchor forming apparatus including a pair of portions for engaging a wire therebetween, and means cooperating with one of said portions to cut said'wire so that an anchor is formed, and with said anchor being retained between said portions for transportation thereby.

4. In a brush making machine, anchor forming means including a pair of wire engaging portions, a stationary block guidably supporting a wire to a position for engagement between said two portions, and means moving said two portions relative to said block, said wire being out between one of said portions and block, with said anchor being retained between said portions for transportation thereby.

5. In a brush making machine, anchor forming apparatus including a pair of pivoted fingers adapted to receive a wire therebetween, a stationary member for guiding the wire to said fingers having one side adjacent said fingers and substantially parallel to the plane of pivotal movement of said fingers, and means for driving said fingers in one direction, said guiding member and one of said fingers co-acting to out said wire, with said anchor being retained between said fingers for transportation thereby.

6. In a brush making machine, anchor forming apparatus including a pair of pivoted fingers adapted to receive a wire between the closing portions thereof, a stationary block member having a wire receiving aperture for guiding the wire to said closing portions, said block having one side thereof in sliding engagement with said fingers at said closing portions, with said aperture terminating in said one side, and means for moving said fingers relative to said block to cut said wire between said block and one of said fingers, with said anchor being retained between said two fingers for transportation thereby.

7. In a brush making machine utilizing a wire member for retaining bristles in a brush body. the means for producing a wire member including in combination a gripping unit adapted to receive wire therein and having a face portion, a guide unit for guiding wire to said gripping unit having a face portion adjacent to the first face portion, resilient means for maintaining said face portions in engagement, and means for moving one of said units relative to the other to cut at said face portions the wire in one unit from the wire in the other unit, with the cut wire gripped in said gripping unit comprising a wire member for retaining bristles in a brush body.

8. In a brush making machine utilizing a wire member for retaining bristles in a brush body, the means for producing a wire member including in combination a pair of fingers adapted to receive wire therebetween and each being pivotally movable about an axis, common means supporting said pair of fingers and being pivotally movable about an axis substantially at right angles to the axes of said fingers, a guide unit for guiding wire to said fingers having a face p rtion adjacent to the fingers, resilient means acting on said common supporting means for moving the same to maintain said fingers in engagement with said face portion, and means moving said fingers relative to said guide unit and over said face portion to cut the wire at said face portion, with a cut piece of wire comprising a, wire member being 20 retained in said fingers for transportation therey.

9. In a brusnmaking machine utilizing a wire member and inserting the same in a brush body for retaining bristles therein, the combination including a wire guide unit, a wire gripping unit t receive wire from said guide unit, each of said units having a portion engaging a corresponding portion of the other unit, means moving one unit relative to the other to shear at said engaging portions the wire in said gripping unit from the wire in the guide unit with the cut wire gripped in said gripping unit comprisng a wire member. and reslient means acting on one of said units to urge that unit into contact with the other unit at said engaging portions.

10. Bristle-securing wire-piece producing apparatus in a brush making machine including in combination a stationary die for supporting wire extending longitudinally therein and having a shearing edge, a wire gripping unit to receive wire from the die including a pair of gripping portions movable in a plane extending across the line of the wire in the die, with at least one of said gripping portions engaging the shearing edge in a shearing engagement, and means acting on one of said gripping portions to move both said gripping portions in said plane to shear the wire in said gripping unit from the wire in the die and provide a wire-piece gripped in said gripping unit for transportation thereby.

11. In a, brush making machine, the combination of anchor forming means including a pair of fingers for engaging a wire therebetween, means cooperating with one of said fingers to out said wire so that an anchor is formed with said anchor being retained between said fingers, means for directing said anchor to a brush block, and means for moving said fingers to present the anchor therein to said anchor directing means.

12. Brush making machine mechanism for producing and moving wire members for securing bristles in a brush block, including in combination wire cutting and transporting means, means receiving wire members from said first-mentioned means to be individually driven into a brush block, said receiving means including a pair of jaws spring-pressed to maintain them closed on a wire member, and said mechanism including means to effect movement of one jaw to provide a spread between the jaws for insertion of a wire member.

13. In a machine for making a brush having an anchor for retaining a bristle tuft in said brush, said machine having mechanism for cutting and transporting an anchor and for inserting the anchor in said brush, including means for receiving anchor material having a portion cooperating to shear off an anchor thereafter retained in said means, moving means for moving said first means to an anchor releasing position, a pair of jaws with a groove in the inner face of each thereof for guidably supporting a corresponding end of said anchor during an anchor inserting operation, means for closingsald jaws on the anchor, and means for driving the anchor into a brush.

14. In a machine for making a brush having a brush block with a bristle retained therein by an anchor, the combination including a pair of jaws each of which has a groove therein for guidably supporting the ends of said anchor during an anchoring operation, the means for cutting said anchor and thereafter feeding said anchor to said jaws to provide for its insertion in said carrying an anchor nation of a rotary table axis means rotatably members rotatable au io:

block in a lengthwise position during an anchoring operation including holding means having two portions with one of said portions cooperating to cut an anchor and with said two portions releasably holding said anchor after it is cut, means for moving said holding means to locate said anchor between the jaws when said jaws are in an open position, and means for closing said jaws to anchor-and-brlstle-guiding position.

15. In a brush making machine, means for carrying an anchor of straight form and a bristle tuft including a pair of jaws, a third jaw intermediate said pair ofv jaws adapted for closing engagement with one of said pair or jaws and responsive to the movement of said one jaw, with each of said three jaws having a groove in the closing side thereof, said-grooves being in mating engagement when said jaws are in closed position, means for presenting an anchor to said one and third jaws, means for presenting a tuft to said pair of jaws, means for closing said three jaws to retain said tuft and anchor therein, means for moving said three jaws with said anchor and tuft therein to a brush block, and means guidably supported in said mating grooves for driving said anchor into said block to secure said tuft therein.

18. in a brush making machine, means for carrying an anchor and a bristle tuit including a pair of jaws adapted for closing engagement, a third jaw intermediate said pair of jaws adapted for closing engagement with one of saidpair oi jaws independently of the closing of the other of said pair of jaws, means for presenting an anchor to said one and third jaws, means for presenting a tuft to said pair of jaws, and means for moving said three jaws with said anchor and tuft therein to a brush block.

i7. In a brush making machine, means for and a bristle tuftincluding a pair of jaws adapted to be closed with a common jaw, means for presenting an anchor between said common jaw and one of said pair of jaws, means for presenting a bristle tuft between said common jaw and the otherof said pair of jaws, and means moving said three jaws with said anchor and tuft therein to a'brush block.

it. in a brush making machine, the combina tion of anchor forming means including a pair of fingers having closing portions for engaging a wire therehetween, stationary means in slidable engagement with aid fingers at said closing pertions for guiding a wire between said closing portions, means for moving said fingers relative to said stationary means to out said wire between one of said fingers and said stationary means so that an anchor is retained between said two fingers,

means for substantially centering said anchor carrying means between said fingers, anchor means for moving said two fingers to present the anchor therebetween to said anchor carrying means, and-means for moving said anchor carry ing means with said anchor therein to a brush block.

19. in a hrush'making machine, the combifor supporting a plurality of brush blocks in an angularly-spaced relation thereon, a plurality, about said table to of operating units positioned selectively act on said brush rial to be worked upon, the means for transport ing said material and positioning the same relative to the operating units including in combination rotary means rotating substantially continuously but intermittently during a complete cycle having a material carrying portion, a pluto move a brush block from one rarity of ratchet portions with each portion having ratchet teeth thereon corresponding in position to a predetermined moving pattern for the rotary means relative to the operating units, a pawl mechanism corresponding to each ratchet portion having a pawl thereon for engagement with the ratchet teeth of said portion, means for moving each pawl mechanism independently 0! another to in turn move the rotary means, and a common axis for said rotary means and each of said pawl mechanism moving means.

21. In a brush making machine, the combina tion of a rotary table for supporting a plurality of brush blocks, means supporting said table for rotation in a single horizontal plane, with said brush blocks being' supported in an angularly spaced relation on the top surface of said table, operating units arranged about said table for successively operating on a brush block to complete a brush, means rotating said table substantially continuously but intermittently in one direction during a work cycle including first means rotating said table in one direction to position a brush block for successive operations by one of said operating units with said rotation continuing for each successive operation, and other means rotating said tableiin. said one direction of said operating 7 units to a next related operating unit.

22. in a brush making machine having an axially mounted rotary work table for supporting a plurality of brush blocks and having a plurality of spaced units above the'table for operating on the brush blocks to make brushes, the means for rotating said table in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the brush construction and the operating units including in combination one ratchet unit rotatably supported on the work table axis, another ratchet unit also rotatabiy supported on such axis, and pawl unitsv corresponding to such ratchet units supported at one I end on such axis, each pawl unit having a pawl thereon for driving engagement with a. corresponding ratchet unit, means operating said pawl unit to drive the work table and position a brush block for successive operations by one operating unit, and means operating another pawl unit to drive the work table to move a brush block from blocks to complete a brush as said table is rotated,

anism corresponding to each of said ratchet members including a pawl unit pivotally supported on said axis means and having a pawl one of said operating units to a next related operating unit.

23. In a brush making machine having a movable table with a brush block holder thereon to carry a brush block therein, the means for holding a brush block in said holder and automatically releasing the same therefrom including a cam stationary relative to said table, and hold-- ing means having a portion movable over the holder to hold a brush block therein and another portion engaging with said cam, with said cam so arranged as to automatically withdraw said holding means from over a brush block in the holder as the table moves relative to said cam and in a position to make said cam operatively effective upon said another portion.

. 24. In a brush making machine having a movable work table and cam means stationary relative thereto, the means for releasably retaining a brush block on said work table including in combination holder means on the table for receiving a block therein, a cam follower movable on the cam means, elongated means operatively connected to the cam follower having a portion extendable to lay over a brush block and maintain it in the holder means, spring means acting on the elongated means to normally maintain said portion of the latter over a brush block, and with said cam follower and cam engagement acting to remove said elongated means portion therefrom upon movement of the work table.

25. In a brush making machine with a movable work table, the means for releasably maintaining thereon a brush block to be worked upon as the table moves through a work cycle, including in combination means with a cavity therein receiving a brush block, cam means stationary relative to the work table, and a spring-pressed finger having one portion extending over a brush block to hold it in its cavity, another portion connected with said cam means and movable by said cam means in a predetermined part of the work cycle to move said one portion out of holding position for said brush block, and resilient means acting to return said one portion to holding position independently of the cam means at another part of the work cycle.

26. In a brush making machine having a table with a holder having a cavity adapted to receive a brush block therein, with the outer portion of said brush block being above the level of the open side of said cavity, the automatic means for reieasably retaining a brush block in the cavity including a means movable in a path over said cavity to frictionally engage the outer portion of said brush block and releasabiy retain the brush block in said cavity, a cam stationary relative to said table, and means operatively connecting said movable means and said cam, with said cam being of a configuration such as to act on said connecting means to withdraw said movable means from said brush block.

27. In brush making machinery having a bristle supply magazine with an open mouth and bristle inserting mechanism, the means for feeding a tuft of bristles to said mechanism including in combination a picker member having a portion moving across the mouth of the magazine for collecting a tuft of bristles therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said picker member, a packer member having a portion movable toward said picker member portion, means for pivotally supporting said packer member, and means for driving said picker member and said packer member in synchronism so that as said picker member is pivoted past said magazine mouth said packer member portion engages a tuft of bristles and presses such tuft toward said picker member portion, and with said two members being thereafter retracted to idle position with said packer member removed away from said picker member.

28. A brush making machine having a bristle magazine with bristle stock therein, the combination of a pivoted picker member having an of movement of said tuft carrying means and having a surface, which at said position is in substantial alignment with the surface of said arcuate portion to support said tuft in said notch for transfer to said tuft carrying means.

29. In a brush making machine having a bristle magazine, means for inserting a tuft of bristles into a brush block, a picker member having a notch in a surface thereof and movable across one end of said magazine to remove a tuft of bristles therefrom, and means including tumbler means cooperating with said surface to support said tuft of bristles in said notch for carrying by the picker member to said tuft inserting means.

30. In a brush making machine having an upright bristle magazine for bristle stock with an open face at the bottom thereof, the means for feeding tufts of bristles from said magazine including in combination picker means movable substantially downwardly and having an opening therein facing downwardly for picking up a measured tuft of bristles as it moves substantially downwardly across the open face of the magazine, packing means resting on the bristle stock continuously exerting a force downwardly on such stock, a second packing means pivotally movable upwardly upon each downward feed stroke of the picker means and having a portion bearing directly toward said opening of said picker means, with such portion being of such a configuration as to press a substantially measured quantity of bristles directly into the opening, axis means mounted to one side and higher than said magazine open face pivotally supporting said second packing means, and another axis means mounted to the other side and higher than said magazine open face pivotally supporting said picker means.

31. In a brush making machine with an upright bristle magazine having bristle stock therein, the combination including means acting on the stock at the top of the, magazine to continuously press the stock downwardly in the magazine toward an opening at the lower end, a movable picker member having a portion with a notch therein, said portion on downward movement of said picker member moving said notch downwardly in a counter-clockwise direction across the lower end of said magazine to remove a tuft of bristles therefrom and being movable on downwardly to a bristle discharge point, means movable independently of said picker member and having an end portion at the lower end of said magazine movable directly toward the notch of said picker member when said notch is at a bristle filling position, with said end portion itself packing the bristles toward and into said notch at the lower end of said magazine, axis means mounted to one side and higher than said lower end opening pivotally supporting said independently movable means, and another axis means mounted to the other side and higher than said lower end opening pivotally supporting picker member.

32. In a brush making machine including a continuously moving table for supporting a brush having upright extending bristles therein, the combination of means for trimming said bristles including a pair of spaced individual stationary blades arranged above said table, means supporting said stationary blades such that the path of said bristles is, on movement of said table, between said pair of blades, and a blade movable across the top of said stationary blades cooperating therewith to trim said bristles, with the trimmed bristles passing between said stationary blades and outwardly therefrom in an upright position.

33. In a brush making machine including a continuously moving carrier for a brush having upright extending bristles therein, the combination of means for trimming said bristles so that said bristles are not bent over during the trimming operation including a pair of separate stationary blades arranged so that said bristles pass therebetween on movement of said carrier, and a movable blade operatively associated with said stationary blades, with said stationary blades being positioned between said movable blade and said carrier, said bristles on being trimmed pass- "26 ing between said stationary blades and adjacent said movable blade in an upright position.

JOHN G. BAUMGAR'I'NER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 3,221 Burt Dec. 1, 1843 63,205 Brombacher Mar. 26, 1867 159,209 Parks et a1. Jan. 26, 1875 350,649 Willett Oct. 12, 1886 915,862 Hunter Mar. 23, 1909 924,194 Schwartz June 8, 1909 982,340 McClintock et al. Jan. 24, 1911 1,070,861 Vanderveld Aug. 19, 1913 1,171,473 Steiert Feb. 15, 1916 1,240,516 Arnold Sept. 18, 1917 1,455,932 Perkins May 22, 1923 1,512,588 Fisher June 21, 1924 1,525,246 Boeuf Feb. 3, 1925 1,664,420 Jobst Apr. 3, 1928 1,664,423 Jobst Apr. 3, 1928 

